Method of using cyclooxegenase-2 inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of dementia

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or derivatives thereof in preventing and treating dementia. In particular, the invention describes the method of preventing and treating dementia in a subject, said method comprising treating the subject with a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I  
                 
 
     wherein R 2 , R 3 , and R 4  are as described in the specification.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is in the field of the prevention and treatment ofdementia. More specifically, this invention relates to the use ofcyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or derivatives thereof in preventing andtreating Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Prostaglandins play a major role in the inflammation process andthe inhibition of prostaglandin production, especially production ofPGG₂, PGH₂ and PGE₂, has been a common target of anti-inflammatory drugdiscovery. However, common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAID's) that are active in reducing the prostaglandin-induced pain andswelling associated with the inflammation process are also active inaffecting other prostaglandin-regulated processes not associated withthe inflammation process. Thus, use of high doses of most common NSAID'scan produce severe side effects, including life threatening ulcers, thatlimit their-therapeutic potential. An alternative to NSAID's is the useof corticosteroids, which also produce adverse effects, especially whenlong term therapy is involved.

[0003] NSAIDs have been found to prevent the production ofprostaglandins by inhibiting enzymes in the human arachidonicacid/prostaglandin pathway, including the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX).The recent discovery of an inducible enzyme associated with inflammation(named “cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)” or “prostaglandin G/H synthase II”)provides a viable target of inhibition which more effectively reducesinflammation and produces fewer and less drastic side effects.

[0004] Dementia, characterized by memory loss, confusion, anddisorientation is suffered by fifteen percent of the American elderlypopulation. Of that number, about sixty percent suffer from theprogressive mental deterioration known as Alzheimer's disease.

[0005] Alzheimer's disease causes the death of brain cells, often beginsin the portion of the brain responsible for memory control. The onset isnormally gradual, often symptomized by the loss of short term memory. Inthe late stages of the disease the patient becomes dissoriented andultimately becomes unable to care for themselves.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,753 (McGeer et al.) describes the use of theNSAID indomethacin for treatment of dementia. WO patent publicationWO94/13635 (published Jun. 23, 1994) describes the use of specific COX-2compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

[0007] [Pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamides have been described inWO95/15316 as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 and have shown promise inthe treatment of inflammation, arthritis, and pain, with minimal sideeffects in pre-clinical and clinical trials. However, their use fortreating central nervous system disorders, including dementia orspecifically for treating or preventing other Alzheimer's disease hasnot been previously described.

[0008] The present invention is directed to the use of inhibitors ofcyclooxygenase-2 for the treatment and prevention of dementia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a method for treating orpreventing dementia in a subject in need of such treatment orprevention, the method comprises administering to the subject atherapeutically effective amount of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor orderivative thereof.

[0010] The term “treatment” includes partial or total inhibition of thedementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia,multi-infarct dementia, pre-senile dementia, alcoholic dementia, andsenile dementia.

[0011] The term “prevention” includes either preventing the onset ofclinically evident dementia altogether or preventing the onset of apreclinically evident stage of dementia in individuals at risk. Alsointended to be encompassed by this definition is the prevention ofinitiation brain cell death or to arrest or reverse the progression ofAlzheimer's disease symptoms. This includes prophylactic treatment ofthose at risk of developing dementia.

[0012] The phrase “therapeutically-effective” is intended to qualify theamount of each agent which will achieve the goal of improvement indisease severity and the frequency of incidence over treatment of eachagent by itself, while avoiding adverse side effects typicallyassociated with alternative therapies.

[0013] The term “subject” for purposes of treatment includes any humanor animal subject who has any one of the known dementia, and preferablyis a human subject. For methods of prevention, the subject is any humanor animal subject, and preferably is a human subject who is at risk fordementia. The subject may be at risk due to exposure to head injury,being exposed to other environmental factors associated with Alzheimer'sdisease and being genetically predisposed to have the dementia.

[0014] In the method above, dementia includes Alzheimer's disease,vascular dementia, multi-infarct dementia, pre-senile dementia,alcoholic dementia, and senile dementia.

[0015] Inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase pathway in the metabolism ofarachidonic acid used in the prevention and treatment of dementia mayinhibit enzyme activity through a variety of mechanisms. By the way ofexample, the inhibitors used in the methods described herein may blockthe enzyme activity directly by acting as a substrate for the enzyme.The use of cyclooxygenasse-2 selective inhibitors is highly advantageousin that they minimize the gastric side effects that can occur withnon-selective NSAID's, especially where prolonged prophylactic treatmentis expected.

[0016] The term “cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor” denotes a compound able toinhibit cyclooxygenase-2 without significant inhibition ofcyclooxygenase-1. Preferably, it includes compounds which have acyclooxygenase-2 IC₅₀ of less than about 0.2 μM, and also have aselectivity ratio of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition over cyclooxygenase-1inhibition of at least 50, and more preferably of at least 100. Evenmore preferably, the compounds have a cyclooxygenase-1 IC₅₀ of greaterthan about 1 μM, and more preferably of greater than 10 μM.

[0017] The method provided herein relates to the use of cyclooxygenase-2inhibitors or derivatives thereof in the prevention and treatment ofdementia. Preferably, the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor is selected fromcompounds of Formula I

[0018] wherein R² is selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl,alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, cyanoalkyl, carboxyl, aminocarbonyl,alkylaminocarbonyl, cycloalkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl,carboxyalkylaminocarbonyl, carboxyalkyl,aralkoxycarbonylalkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl,alkoxycarbonylcyanoalkenyl and hydroxyalkyl;

[0019] wherein R³ is selected from hydrido, alkyl, cyano, hydroxyalkyl,cycloalkyl, alkylsulfonyl and halo; and

[0020] wherein R⁴ is selected from aralkenyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl and heterocyclic; wherein R⁴ is optionally substituted at asubstitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo,alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, cyano, nitro, haloalkyl, alkyl, hydroxyl,alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino,alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, sulfamyl,heterocyclic and amino;

[0021] or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or derivative thereof.

[0022] A class of compounds of particular interest consists of thosecompounds of Formula I wherein R² is selected from hydrido, lower alkyl,lower haloalkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, cyano, lower cyanoalkyl,carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lowercycloalkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, lowercarboxyalkylaminocarbonyl, lower aminocarbonylalkyl, loweraralkoxycarbonylalkylaminocarbonyl, lower carboxyalkyl, loweralkoxycarbonylcyanoalkenyl and lower hydroxyalkyl; wherein R³ isselected from hydrido, lower alkyl, cyano, lower hydroxyalkyl, lowercycloalkyl, lower alkylsulfonyl and halo; and wherein R⁴ is selectedfrom aralkenyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and heterocyclic; whereinR⁴ is optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one ormore radicals selected from halo, lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfonyl,cyano, nitro, lower haloalkyl, lower alkyl, hydroxyl, lower alkenyl,lower hydroxyalkyl, carboxyl, lower cycloalkyl, lower alkylamino, lowerdialkylamino, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, lower alkoxy, lowerhaloalkoxy, sulfamyl, five or six membered heterocyclic and amino; or apharmaceutically-acceptable salt or derivative thereof.

[0023] A family of specific compounds of particular interest withinFormula I consists of compounds, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts andderivatives thereof as follows:

[0024]4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0025]4-[5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0026]4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0027]4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0028]4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0029]4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0030]4-[4-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0031]4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0032]4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0033]4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0034] 4-[3-cyano-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0035]4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0036]4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0037] 4-[4-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0038]4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;and

[0039]4-[5-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide.

[0040] A family of specific compounds of more particular interest withinFormula I consists of compounds and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts orderivatives thereof as follows:

[0041]4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;

[0042]4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;and

[0043]4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide.

[0044] Derivatives are intended to encompass any compounds which arestructurally related to the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors or which possessthe substantially equivalent biologic activity. By way of example, suchinhibitors may include, but are not limited to, prodrugs thereof.

[0045] The compounds utilized in the methods of the present inventionmay be present in the form of free bases or pharmaceutically acceptableacid addition salts thereof. The term “pharmaceutically-acceptablesalts” embraces salts commonly used to form alkali metal salts and toform addition salts of free acids or free bases. The nature of the saltis not critical, provided that it is pharmaceutically-acceptable.Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts of compounds ofFormula I may be prepared from an inorganic acid or from an organicacid. Examples of such inorganic acids are hydrochloric, hydrobromic,hydroiodic, nitric, carbonic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid. Appropriateorganic acids may be selected from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic,araliphatic, heterocyclic, carboxylic and sulfonic classes of organicacids, example of which are formic, acetic, propionic, succinic,glycolic, gluconic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic,glucuronic, maleic, fumaric, pyruvic, aspartic, glutamic, benzoic,anthranilic, mesylic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, phenylacetic, mandelic, embonic(pamoic), methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, pantothenic,2-hydroxyethanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, sulfanilic,cyclohexylaminosulfonic, stearic, algenic, β-hydroxybutyric, salicylic,galactaric and galacturonic acid. Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptablebase addition salts of compounds of Formula I include metallic saltsmade from aluminum, calcium, lithium, magnesium, potassium, sodium andzinc or organic salts made from N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine,chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumine(N-methylglucamine) and procaine. All of these salts may be prepared byconventional means from the corresponding compound of Formula I byreacting, for example, the appropriate acid or base with the compound ofFormula I.

Materials and Methods

[0046] A transgenic mouse model for Alzheimer;s has been described byHsiao et al. (Science, (1996)]. The cyclooxygenasse-2 inhibitors shouldbe active, at a dose of 20 mg/kg.

[0047] The active compounds of the present invention may be administeredby any suitable route known to those skilled in the art, preferably inthe form of a pharmaceutical composition adapted to such a route, and ina dose effective for the treatment intended. The active compounds andcomposition may, for example, be administered orally, intravascularly,intraperitoneally, intranasal, intrabronchial, subcutaneously,intra-muscularly or topically (including aerosol).

[0048] The administration of the present invention may be for eitherprevention or treatment purposes. The methods and compositions usedherein may be used alone or in conjunction with additional therapiesknown to those skilled in the art in the prevention or treatment ofdementia. Alternatively, the methods and compositions described hereinmay be used as adjunct therapy. By way of example, the cyclooxygenase-2inhibitor may be administered alone or in conjunction with otherantineoplastic agents or other growth inhibiting agents or other drugsor nutrients.

[0049] The phrase “adjunct therapy” (or “combination therapy”), indefining use of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor agent and anotherpharmaceutical agent, is intended to embrace administration of eachagent in a sequential manner in a regimen that will provide beneficialeffects of the drug combination, and is intended as well to embraceco-administration of these agents in a substantially simultaneousmanner, such as in a single formulation having a fixed ratio of theseactive agents, or in multiple, separate formulations for each agent. Thepresent invention also comprises a pharmaceutical composition for theadjunct prevention and treatment of dementia, comprising atherapeutically-effective amount of a compound of Formula I inassociation with at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier,adjuvant or diluent (collectively referred to herein as “carrier”materials) and, other antidementia agents or other growth inhibitingagents or other drugs or nutrients.

[0050] For oral administration, the pharmaceutical composition may be inthe form of, for example, a tablet, capsule, suspension or liquid. Thepharmaceutical composition is preferably made in the form of a dosageunit containing a particular amount of the active ingredient. Examplesof such dosage units are capsules, tablets, powders, granules or asuspension, with conventional additives such as lactose, mannitol, cornstarch or potato starch; with binders such as crystalline cellulose,cellulose derivatives, acacia, corn starch or gelatins; withdisintegrators such as corn starch, potato starch or sodiumcarboxymethyl-cellulose; and with lubricants such as talc or magnesiumstearate. The active ingredient may also be administered by injection asa composition wherein, for example, saline, dextrose or water may beused as a suitable carrier.

[0051] For intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intraperitonealadministration, the compound may be combined with a sterile aqueoussolution which is preferably isotonic with the blood of the recipient.Such formulations may be prepared by dissolving solid active ingredientin water containing physiologically compatible substances such as sodiumchloride, glycine, and the like, and having a buffered pH compatiblewith physiological conditions to produce an aqueous solution, andrendering said solution sterile. The formulations may be present in unitor multi-dose containers such as sealed ampoules or vials.

[0052] Formulations suitable for parenteral administration convenientlycomprise a sterile aqueous preparation of the active compound which ispreferably made isotonic. Preparations for injections may also beformulated by suspending or emulsifying the compounds in non-aqueoussolvent, such as vegetable oil, synthetic aliphatic acid glycerides,esters of higher aliphatic acids or propylene glycol.

[0053] Formulations for topical use include known gels, creams, oils,and the like. For aerosol delivery, the compounds may be formulated withknown aerosol exipients, such as saline, and administered usingcommercially available nebulizers. Formulation in a fatty acid sourcemay be used to enhance biocompatibility.

[0054] For rectal administration, the active ingredient may beformulated into suppositories using bases which are solid at roomtemperature and melt or dissolve at body temperature. Commonly usedbases include cocoa butter, glycerinated gelatin, hydrogenated vegetableoil, polyethylene glycols of various molecular weights, and fatty estersof polyethylene stearate.

[0055] The dosage form and amount can be readily established byreference to known central nervous system treatment or prophylacticregiments. The amount of therapeutically active compound that isadministered and the dosage regimen for treating a disease conditionwith the compounds and/or compositions of this invention depends on avariety of factors, including the age, weight, sex and medical conditionof the subject, the severity of the disease, the route and frequency ofadministration, and the particular compound employed, as well as thepharmacokinetic properties of the individual treated, and thus may varywidely. The dosage will generally be lower if the compounds areadministered locally rather than systemically, and for prevention ratherthan for treatment. Such treatments may be administered as often asnecessary and for the period of time judged necessary by the treatingphysician. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the dosageregime or therapeutically effective amount of the inhibitor to beadministrated may need to be optimized for each individual. Thepharmaceutical compositions may contain active ingredient in the rangeof about 0.1 to 2000 mg, preferably in the range of about 0.5 to 500 mgand most preferably between about 1 and 200 mg. A daily dose of about0.01 to 100 mg/kg body weight, preferably between about 0.1 and about 50mg/kg body weight and most preferably from about 1 to 20 mg/kg bodyweight, may be appropriate. The daily dose can be administered in one tofour doses per day.

[0056] All patents referenced herein are incorporated by reference.

[0057] Although this invention has been described with respect tospecific embodiments, the details of these embodiments are not to beconstrued as limitations.

1. A method of treating an dementia in a subject, said method comprisingtreating the subject with a therapeutically-effective amount of acompound of Formula I

wherein R² is selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl,cyano, cyanoalkyl, carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl,cycloalkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, carboxyalkylaminocarbonyl,carboxyalkyl, aralkoxycarbonylalkylaminocarbonyl,alkoxycarbonylcyanoalkenyl and hydroxyalkyl; wherein R³ is selected fromhydrido, alkyl, cyano, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylsulfonyl and halo;and wherein R⁴ is selected from aralkenyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl and heterocyclic; wherein R⁴ is optionally substituted at asubstitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo,alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, cyano, nitro, haloalkyl, alkyl, hydroxyl,alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino,alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, sulfamyl,heterocyclic and amino; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt orderivative thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein R² is selected fromhydrido, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, cyano,C₁-C₆-cyanoalkyl, carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, N—C₁-C₆-alkylaminocarbonyl,C₃-C₇-cycloalkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl,carboxy-C₁-C₆-alkylaminocarbonyl,aryl-C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonylalkylaminocarbonyl, carboxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl,C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonylcyanoalkenyl and C₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl; wherein R³ isselected from hydrido, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, cyano, C₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl,C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl and halo; and wherein R⁴ isselected from aralkenyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl andheterocyclic; wherein R⁴ is optionally substituted at a substitutableposition with one or more radicals selected from halo, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,hydroxyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl, carboxyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl,N—C₁-C₆-alkylamino, di-N—C₁-C₆-alkylamino, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,aminocarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, sulfamyl, five or sixmembered heterocyclic and amino; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable saltor derivative thereof.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the compound isselected from compounds, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, ofthe group consisting of4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[4-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-cyano-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[4-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;and4-[5-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide.4. The method of claim 2 wherein the compound is4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.
 5. The method of claim 2wherein the compound is4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.
 6. The method of claim 2where the compound is4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein the dementia is selected from Alzheimer's disease, vasculardementia, multi-infarct dementia, pre-senile dementia, alcoholicdementia, and senile dementia.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein thedementia is Alzheimer's disease.
 9. A method of preventing a dementiaselected from Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, multi-infarctdementia, pre-senile dementia, alcoholic dementia, and senile dementia,in a subject in need of such prevention, the method comprising treatingsaid subject with a therapeutically-effective amount of a compound of

wherein R² is selected from hydrido, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl,cyano, cyanoalkyl, carboxyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl,cycloalkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, carboxyalkylaminocarbonyl,carboxyalkyl, aralkoxycarbonylalkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl,alkoxycarbonylcyanoalkenyl and hydroxyalkyl; wherein R³ is selected fromhydrido, alkyl, cyano, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylsulfonyl and halo;and wherein R⁴ is selected from aralkenyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl and heterocyclic; wherein R⁴ is optionally substituted at asubstitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo,alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, cyano, nitro, haloalkyl, alkyl, hydroxyl,alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino,alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, sulfamyl,heterocyclic and amino; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt orderivative thereof.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein R² is selectedfrom hydrido, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,cyano, C₁-C₆-cyanoalkyl, carboxyl, aminocarbonyl,C₁-C₆-N-alkylaminocarbonyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkylaminocarbonyl,arylaminocarbonyl, carboxy-C₁-C₆-alkylaminocarbonyl,aminocarbonyl-C₁-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonylalkylaminocarbonyl,carboxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonylcyanoalkenyl andC₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl; wherein R³ is selected from hydrido, C₁-C₁₀-alkyl,cyano, C₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl andhalo; and wherein R⁴ is selected from aralkenyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl and heterocyclic; wherein R⁴ is optionally substituted at asubstitutable position with one or more radicals selected from halo,C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, hydroxyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl, carboxyl,C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₁-C₆-N-alkylamino, C₁-C₆-N-dialkylamino,C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy,sulfamyl, five or six membered heterocyclic and amino; or apharmaceutically-acceptable salt or derivative thereof.
 11. The methodof claim 10 wherein the compound is selected from compounds, and theirpharmaceutically acceptable salts, of the group consisting of4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[4-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-cyano-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[4-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;and4-[5-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide.12. The method of claim 10 wherein the compound is4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.
 13. The method of claim10 wherein the compound is4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.
 14. The method of claim10 where the compound is4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. 15-28. (Cancelled)